Week 2 questions

Reflection on Work

To understand the math behind the chemostat and improve our MATLAB skills.

What aspect of this assignment came most easily to you?

Understanding the math and biology of the chemostat.

What aspect of this assignment was the most challenging for you?

Doing anything in MATLAB I do not understand it other than the most basic things shown in the tutorial. Working with the computer, I do not like computers and I really very much do not enjoy writing code and working with computer programs.

What (yet) do you not understand?

MATLAB.

Read and Reflect

What distinction does Lander draw between modeling to "discover new knowledge" and modeling for "understanding"?

Lander clearly favors modeling with the purpose of understanding, and comments on how it is seen as trivial when compared to the discovery of new knowledge. While discovery of new knowledge is finding bits and pieces of information accepted as "facts", truly understanding includes taking those facts and connecting them to other knowledge (the metaphor of the hairball, the nodes would be facts while the edges are understanding).

Which point of view resonates with you more?

I find that I get more out of understanding then I do out of straight facts. Knowing the facts is great, but without the anchor of understanding, facts will quickly exit one's memory. I know this from experience. I remember biological processes much better when I actually understand them for example, I really understand the Krebbs cycle because I can draw it out and explain every part of it, not just because I have memorized the diagram.

Reflection on Work

Read and Reflect

What distinction does Lander draw between modeling to "discover new knowledge" and modeling for "understanding"?

Lander states that discovering new facts, while it can be exciting, is much different than actually understanding what you are presented with. He clearly favors modeling for understanding, and claims that the majority of biologists would feel the same. He says that there will always be a need for models for understanding, and the notion that models can only be used to make predictions is not entirely correct. It is with all of the models that understanding can be found.

Which point of view resonates with you more? Why?

I found that the models for understanding resonate more with me. There is much more to learning than just memorizing facts. Especially in math and biology since they are subjects that constantly build upon each other, having an understanding it necessary. In order to be able to correctly explain biological systems, or even some mathematical problem solving techniques, an understanding of the process and/or model that goes with it is going to be much more beneficial.

Reflection on Work

Read and Reflect

What distinction does Lander draw between modeling to "discover new knowledge" and modeling for "understanding"?

Lander explains that there is more to understanding than there is to simply discovering new knowledge. Discovery new knowledge can simply be identifying a new fact. He states that factual discovery does not always accompany a full understanding, using the example that a student can discover new knowledge by looking up an answer on their phone while that student actually has no understanding of the fact. Lander supports modeling for understanding. He is interested in understanding the world in new ways rather than just discovering new facts about it. He believes that modeling is not simply a way to make predictions or hypotheses but can be useful in further understanding concepts.

Which point of view resonates with you more? Why?

Modeling for understanding resonates more with me. To me, understanding lays a foundation that you can continue to learn on. If one is just discovering new facts without a foundation of understanding, that knowledge can go to waste. When I understand something, I will always know it and then I can relate it and apply it. When I know just the facts I am unable to apply the knowledge. Also, I think modeling for understanding can lead to new discoveries because once the foundation is in place, one can use it guide themselves towards making new discoveries.